Southern Antarctic Realms: Circle & Weddell Sea is a 17-day round-trip expedition from Ushuaia aboard Douglas Mawson, designed to explore some of Antarctica’s more remote regions. The voyage follows the western Antarctic Peninsula south toward the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ South, with an attempted crossing before turning north and navigating toward Antarctic Sound for an attempted entry into the icebound Weddell Sea. Flexible Zodiac cruises and shore landings provide opportunities to experience channels, pack ice, enormous tabular icebergs, penguin colonies, whales, and several species of seals, while onboard lectures introduce Antarctic history, wildlife, and the environment. With both the Antarctic Circle and Weddell Sea forming major objectives of the expedition, the itinerary ventures into regions rarely experienced even by many previous Antarctic travelers.
17 Day Antarctica Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia and begin preparations for the Antarctic expedition with a transfer to the pre-voyage hotel, Arakur Resort & Spa. After arrival, visit the hospitality desk, where you can collect the luggage tags and voyage information required ahead of embarkation. The remainder of the day is available at leisure, providing time before the expedition officially sets sail aboard Douglas Mawson the following day. This overnight stay in Ushuaia forms part of the pre-voyage arrangements and allows travelers to be in place before embarkation. Meals on Day 1 are not included, as specified in the source material. The journey toward the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Circle, and Weddell Sea begins with embarkation tomorrow.
Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Lake Escondido & Embarkation
Begin the morning with the pre-embarkation panoramic tour of Lake Escondido before transferring to the pier for embarkation aboard Douglas Mawson. Once on the vessel, complete the mandatory briefings that prepare passengers for the expedition ahead. With embarkation formalities and required information covered, settle into life aboard the ship as preparations are made to depart Ushuaia and head toward Antarctica. The evening includes a welcome dinner, marking the beginning of the voyage itself. Ahead lies a southbound crossing of the Drake Passage followed by exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, an attempted crossing of the Antarctic Circle, and an attempt to enter the Weddell Sea before eventually returning to Ushuaia.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Douglas Mawson heads south across the Drake Passage during two days at sea. As the expedition progresses toward Antarctica, required biosecurity procedures are completed in preparation for upcoming activities and shore exploration. The expedition team also presents lectures covering Antarctic history, wildlife, and the environment, providing background for the regions and species that may be encountered during the voyage. During the crossing, the ship passes through the Antarctic Convergence, marking another stage in the journey south. Keep watch as the first large icebergs begin to appear, signaling the approach to Antarctica. These two days connect Ushuaia with the western Antarctic Peninsula, where Zodiac cruises, shore landings, wildlife searches, and navigation through ice become central to the itinerary.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5-6: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
The expedition reaches the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, where two days are dedicated to flexible exploration according to the opportunities encountered. Zodiac cruises and shore landings provide the principal means of experiencing the Peninsula at closer range. Navigate through channels and areas of pack ice while observing the surrounding Antarctic environment. Wildlife searches are also an important part of these days, with opportunities to look for humpback and minke whales feeding on krill. Rather than following a single fixed sequence of sites, the itinerary emphasizes flexible exploration of the western Peninsula. These initial Antarctic days introduce the landscapes, wildlife, and ice that characterize the expedition before Douglas Mawson continues farther south toward the Antarctic Circle.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7-9: Attempting to Cross the Antarctic Circle
Over the next three days, Douglas Mawson pushes farther south toward one of the voyage’s defining objectives: reaching and attempting to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ South. If conditions allow the ship to cross this geographic boundary successfully, passengers can celebrate the achievement with a toast on deck. Beyond the Circle lies an increasingly isolated environment characterized in the source by colder surroundings, heavy pack ice, and dream-like icebergs. Exploration continues as the expedition experiences this more remote part of Antarctica and the distinctive icy scenery encountered farther south. The crossing remains an attempt rather than a guaranteed event, with these days dedicated to reaching and exploring the Antarctic Circle region whenever conditions permit.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 10: North Along the Antarctic Peninsula
After the journey south toward the Antarctic Circle, Douglas Mawson turns north along the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula. The day provides further opportunities for Antarctic exploration, with activities determined by the possibilities encountered along the route. The itinerary may include beach landings, visits to penguin colonies, or Zodiac cruises, continuing the flexible expedition style established during the earlier Peninsula days. This additional day along the western Peninsula creates another opportunity to experience Antarctica from both shore and water before the voyage shifts toward its second major geographical objective. From here, Douglas Mawson heads in the direction of Antarctic Sound, where the expedition will attempt to enter the legendary and icebound Weddell Sea.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 11-14: Into the Weddell Sea
Douglas Mawson navigates toward Antarctic Sound to attempt entry into the Weddell Sea, beginning four days dedicated to one of the expedition’s principal objectives. The itinerary describes this as an extraordinary icy realm, where enormous tabular icebergs form one of the defining features of the landscape. Wildlife observation continues throughout the exploration, with opportunities to search for Adélie penguins as well as leopard, crabeater, and Weddell seals. These days take the voyage into another remote Antarctic environment, combining ice-filled scenery with opportunities to encounter species associated with the region. Entry into the Weddell Sea is an attempted part of the itinerary, reflecting the expeditionary nature of navigating an area characterized by extensive ice.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 15-16: Return Across the Drake Passage
After completing the exploration of the Weddell Sea region, Douglas Mawson begins its northbound journey toward South America. The expedition spends two days crossing the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage on the return to Ushuaia. This marks the transition from Antarctic exploration to the final stage of the 17-day voyage. Behind you are the western Antarctic Peninsula, the attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ South, and the attempt to navigate into the Weddell Sea through Antarctic Sound. These days at sea conclude the ship’s Antarctic route as it travels north. No additional activities or specific onboard program for Days 15–16 are detailed in the source material.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 17: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
The 17-day Southern Antarctic Realms expedition concludes with arrival back in Ushuaia. After the northbound crossing of the Drake Passage and Southern Ocean, disembark Douglas Mawson and bring the round-trip voyage to an end. The expedition has traveled from Ushuaia to the western Antarctic Peninsula, continued south toward the Antarctic Circle, and then turned north before attempting entry into the Weddell Sea through Antarctic Sound. Along the way, the itinerary has included Zodiac cruises, shore landings, lectures, wildlife observation, pack ice, large icebergs, penguin colonies, whales, and several species of Antarctic seals. No additional post-disembarkation activities in Ushuaia are specified in the source material.
Meals Included: Breakfast
+12
17 Day Antarctica Itinerary Includes
- Accommodation in assigned stateroom
- Complimentary gym access
- Meals onboard
- Morning and afternoon teas
- Tea, coffee and snacks available 24/7
- House wines, beers and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain's Farewell drinks
- Lectures and presentations by naturalists and specialists
- Access to Citizen Science Center
- Access to library and observation areas
- Heated outdoor pool
- Jacuzzis
- Sauna
17 Day Antarctica Itinerary Does not Include
- Airfares and transfers unless specified
- travel insurance
- visa and passport expenses
- optional activities
- personal expenses
- additional beverages
- laundry and spa services
- gratuities
- any services not specified as included in the voyage itinerary.
17 Day Antarctica Itinerary Highlights
- Attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33′ South and, if successful, celebrate the achievement with a toast on deck.
- Attempt to enter the legendary Weddell Sea and explore an icy environment distinguished by enormous tabular icebergs.
- Navigate the western Antarctic Peninsula through channels and pack ice using Zodiacs and shore landings.
- Look for humpback and minke whales feeding on krill during exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Search for Adélie penguins and leopard, crabeater, and Weddell seals during the Weddell Sea portion of the expedition.
- Venture into remote Antarctic regions beyond those experienced by many visitors to the continent.
17 Day Antarctica cruise activities
Under full instruction from your sea kayaking guide, experience true tranquillity as you paddle through clinking ice floes and realise the enormity of the surrounding scenery. Look out for breaching whales, lounging seals and penguins zipping alongside your kayak. Some experience is required.
Camp out on the ice and experience the silence which blankets the continent by night. This is your chance to completely connect with this ethereal ice world – wrap up warm and embrace the Antarctic elements.
Get a spring in your step when you slip on a pair of snowshoes in Antarctica. Enabling you to easily scale gentle slopes, this unique activity allows you to access hard to reach places and seek out the most impressive views.
Learn to capture wildlife and landscape shots in a small group photography program, including critiquing sessions and editing classes. Plus, Explorer Boat excursions with a dedicated photography expert on landings.
Achieve the best views and photographs from a forward facing Explorer Boats. They allow you to sit comfortably and securely while crackling through the ice-strewn waters. Look out for wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales as you cruise.
It doesn’t get more serene than complimentary yoga classes to the tune of glacial scenery. Join the most unique exercise setting in the world after a day of exploration. Classes are regular but are dependent on weather conditions and swell.
Animals you might see on this itinerary
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Southern Antarctic Realms: Circle & Weddell Sea
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